Time to indulge in a little garden envy by walking down the garden paths of local open gardens this year
19 May: 11am-5pm – Richmond Hill Open Gardens TW10
There are 18 beautiful gardens (six new), all within walking distance of each other, set on the slopes of Richmond Hill. There is also a plant sale at Gloucester House and tea/cake at St Matthias Church. New Gardens this year. More details at richmondhillopengardens.org. £XX
19 May: 2-5pm, 26 May: 6-8pm – 69, 71, 73 Kew Green Gardens TW9
These gardens each measure around 100 yards, from the back of the beautiful houses facing Kew Green to the Thames. Each garden is individual in style and structure and include lush lawns, winding paths, low walls and climbing roses and clematis. £8 group entry
31 May: 6-8pm, 2 June: 6-8pm – Chiswick Mall Gardens W4: Swan House, Field House, Longmeadow
A group of stunning gardens by the river in historic old Chiswick. Home to artists, these walled gardens inspire calm and serenity with their thoughtful planting, exotic foliage, trickling water features and beautiful borders. Other gardens may be open in the area on 2 June include Cedar House, St Peter’s Wharf etc – check website at end for details. £12 group entry
2 June: 1-6pm – Barnes Open Gardens
Discover 21 beautiful gardens from large lawns to small terraces, leafy expanses to courtyards with pot plants. Also cream teas, live music and Pimms at Barnes Green Centre (where you can also buy the entry ticket). £10 group entry
2 June: 2.30-5pm, 40 Chartfield Ave, PutneySW15, 39 Hazlewell Road, Putney SW15
These two gardens open together under one ticket. Chartfield Avenue took 15 years to build and landscape, including planting more than 30 trees. Swathes of perennials surround the circular lawn, leading to a gravel garden and pagoda. Hazlewell is a secluded garden, with mature trees and naturalistic planting. £7 group entry
9 June: 2-5pm – 26, 59, 60, 62, 65 Marksbury Ave, Kew TW9
Although similar in size, these five gardens are all very different. No. 26 features many New Zealand natives; at 59, the garden has grown through propagation and self-seeding, whilst No. 60 is a typical town garden. Next door at 63, the garden was created from scratch in 2018 and 65 in just 2021. Teas at The Barn Church, Marksbury Ave. £7 group entry
16 June: 3-6pm, Ormeley Lodge, Ham TW10
A large and beautiful walled garden, close on Ham Common, with wide herbaceous borders, box hedges, a wildflower orchard and knot and vegetable gardens. You will also see an aviary and chickens. £5
23 June: 2-6pm – Fife Road, East Sheen SW14
The garden is dominated by two large cedar trees, whilst a maturing oak stands in the wild garden, surrounded by fruit trees. The productive vegetable garden is managed with a no dig system. Borders with perennials and shrubs. £5
7 July: 11am-6pm – 100 Colne Road, Twickenham TW2
An enchanting first floor roof garden above an 1850s workers cottage and a 1950s studio and artist workshops to the rear. A wide spiral staircase leads to the small sheltered intensively planted container garden. £7
Look for full details on gardens, timings and directions with the National Gardens Scheme at ngs.org.uk, although not all gardens listed here are part of the NGS
Find out what else is on locally here.
(Image: ngs.org.uk)